Oceania

Year Published: 1968

Creator: McGraw-Hill

Complete Record: Describes the South Pacific region called Oceania. Shows the three major cultural groups of this region, the three major island types, and the economic and social changes taking place in the islands. Voiceover describing Pacific Ocean, islands in ocean. Footage of terrain, jungles, animals grazing; view from airplane. Fishermen fishing on rocky beach. Description of volcanic, coral, continental islands. Description of formation of volcanoes and mountains. Description of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Footage of inhabitants of islands. Descriptions of inhabitants, origins of people. Details of climate, trade winds, etc. Children playing. “South Sea: glamorized by writers as land of easy living.” Footage of people on boats/canoes in ocean. Missionaries introduce islanders to Christianity. White missionaries bring disease, tuberculosis, measles epidemics. WWI and WWII naval bases in Oceania. Improved roads, ports, airfields etc. after wars. Oceania moves toward modernity. Crops are industrialized. Coconut production. Man climbs tree to get coconuts. Coconuts harvested. Husks removed, nut cut open. Taro, yams, sweet potato crops described. Breadfruit, mangoes, other fruits. Market scenes, basket weaving, fruit sales. Coffee production. Sugar cane plantations. Indians from India living in islands. Nitrate harvesting; New Caledonia and nickel mining. Trade has increased economic output, linked islands with world. Airplane footage at airport. Tourism; tourists on large cruise ship. Island woman filming educational video. New Guinea government building, discussion of government policies. Footage of island parade. Footage of children playing, inhabitants living in straw/grass houses, washing clothes, simple living. Islanders cut coconuts, paddle canoe in ocean.